Today is a Member's Day, and Sue Bradford's Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Bill is back for another round. There's Question Time, a general debate, and a local bill to get through first, so the committee stage probably won't kick off until 17:15 or so. When it does, you can listen to it online here.
Meanwhile having failed to gather the numbers for urgency (which was completely unjustifiable anyway IMHO), the government is now reportedly thinking about adopting the bill as a government bill. This is allowed under Standing Orders with the consent of the MP (and I can't see Sue Bradford disagreeing), and would allow the bill to be passed before the Easter recess without the outrage of urgency. It would disrupt the government's legislative programme somewhat, but it's not as if they had one anyway, so it's probably worth doing.
Good luck to everyone going on the counterprotest today (which kicks off in half an hour); I'll link to the pictures as soon as Scoop has some.
Saw the protest/counterprotest go past. Looked to be about 200 in the protest and 40 in the counter-protest. Saw the police drag off one guy wrapped in a NZ flag, with something " for Jesus" written down the back...
ReplyDeleteFavorite banner "Who would Jesus Smack?"
Buff
So, despite all the noise formented by deep-pocketed fundamentalists, when push comes to shove this doesn't even come close to civil unions or the foreshore & seabed.
ReplyDeleteHell, more people turn out to say "Nazis suck" than to defend the "right" of parents to beat their children.
**Eyewitness Account of the Protest at Parliament**
ReplyDeleteWell, I reckon there were about 300 people there. About 150 were anti the bill. About 30 were pro the bill. Another 20 or so were nut jobs – such as the fat woman dressed in leather, holding a whip, and carrying placard saying “Smacking is wasted on children”. The balance were onlookers, police and journalists.
Modern democracy in action, eh? If only somebody had been paid to topple a statue, we would have had the complete three ring circus.
My head count was 450-500 leaving civic square. With 50 counter-protesting.
ReplyDeleteI was part of the counter-protest, obviously
The fact is, 80-85% of New Zealanders are against this bill.
ReplyDeleteMy faith in New Zealanders have been completely eroded.
What right have to to stand against global violence and agression on the world stage when we march for the right to inflict violence and agression on our children.
We still have a lot of growing up to do folks. A lot.
This bill will probably be quietly ditched, Labour/Greens will probably come up with a way to save face on it.
Perhaps in another 10-15 years we might come back to it, and see how we go.
Its a pity Sue Bradford didnt try and thrash out some sort of comprimise with Chester Burrows and incorporate his amendments. At least it would have got more support, and it would have at least been better then nothing. Plus Burrows, being from a convervative rural reigon with a background in the police force has the mana to get something like this. I mean, Sue Bradford isnt middle New Zealand's cup of tea is she?
Looks like the government is going to adopt the bill...
ReplyDeleteOh god, no....that is really going to agitate things.
I actually think there are times where you have to pull stumps and walk away to fight another day.
This is it.
As much as I support the bill, and oppose hitting children, you have to know when to quit. When thousands of people will write to the New Zealand herald, letters to the editor, post on messageboards in opposition to the bill, I think its time to just back off, ditch the bill, and at least try to capitalise on the debate that has been sparked from this.
Or, the supporters need to get into gear and start being more agressive. I dont see Barnardos and Plunket publishing full page ads in the paper. A press release on Scoop can only go so far.
GET OUT THERE PEOPLE..
I think the governments approach is to get the bill through as quickly as possible. Voters have very short memories, so it will be all long forgotten by the next election, especially as there won't be huge numbers of arrests and trials going on.
ReplyDeleteScripture tells us Messaiah drove the tax collectors out of the temple with a whip... He also said all torah (scripture) was profitable for teaching and groth.. he didn exclude spare the rod and spoil the child when he said this
ReplyDelete